Look, let’s be real – college is expensive AF. Like, “selling-a-kidney” expensive. But before you start browsing the black market for organ prices (kidding!), let me tell you how hockey might just be your ticket to higher education. And no, you don’t need to be the next Wayne Gretzky… yet. 😉
Trust me, I get it. When I first heard about hockey scholarships, I thought “Yeah right, me and about 10,000 other kids with the same dream.” But here’s the thing – while everyone else was obsessing over their Instagram highlight reels, I was out there perfecting something that actually matters: my shot.

Shooting in Hockey: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Puck

Here’s what nobody tells you about hockey shooting – it’s less about brute force and more about finesse. Think less “hulk smash” and more “ninja warrior.” I learned this the hard way after spending my first year trying to murder every puck I touched (RIP to all the garage doors I dented – sorry, Dad! 🏒💥).
Let me drop some real knowledge on you (acquired through approximately 1,547 failed attempts):

The Wrist Shot Mystery

Okay, picture this: you’re holding a hot cup of coffee. Now imagine flicking that coffee at someone who annoyed you (DON’T actually do this!). That wrist motion? That’s basically your wrist shot! Use both your backhand and forehand – you never know when you’ll need to get sneaky with it.

The “Keep it Close” Rule

Remember that clingy ex who wouldn’t give you personal space? Channel that energy with your puck. Keep it CLOSE. I used to let that little rubber disc wander off like a toddler at the mall – rookie mistake! The closer it is to your body, the harder it is for defenders to steal it (and the less embarrassing your game footage will be).

The Wrong Foot Forward

Sometimes you’ll end up shooting from your “wrong” foot because hockey is chaos incarnate. It’s like dancing, except the dance floor is ice, and everyone’s trying to knock you over. Fun times! But seriously, practice shooting from awkward positions – because games rarely give you perfect scenarios.

Pro Tip (learned from eating ice more times than I’d like to admit): Watch games and training videos like you watch your crush’s social media – with intense focus and attention to detail. 👀

The Real Talk Section

Let’s be honest – getting that college scholarship isn’t going to be easy. There are probably kids out there who came out of the womb wearing skates. But here’s the secret they don’t tell you: Most players get caught up trying to be flashy, while the real MVPs are the ones who mastered the basics.
Your college team doesn’t need another showboat who can do triple dekes but can’t hit the broad side of a barn. They need someone reliable, someone who can put the puck where it needs to go when it counts. Be that player.

And remember – every time you practice shooting, you’re not just working on your game; you’re potentially paying for your future education. That’s way better than my original plan of starting a underground cafeteria snack ring in college (which may or may not have actually happened… 🤫).

P.S. – If anyone asks, those dents in the garage were totally there when you got there. Works 60% of the time, every time!